Federal Colonial farmhouse renovation in beautiful Vermont

On Our Way to New Kitchen

I had low goals set for my most recent weekend trip to the house. I was just looking to relax and escape Boston for a night, get a little painting done and check on progress in the Kitchen.

My goals were exceeded beyond my expectations (except maybe the painting part). The kitchen is really coming together now. New wood flooring is down, windows and entry doors have been installed, insulation is in and sheetrock is up. It looks and feels like a totally different space.

It is just a matter of a few weeks now before the cabinets, counters, lighting and appliances get installed and we are ready to use it. I am so grateful for the talented, reliable contractors we have working for us. They are the ones making this all become real.

The design and details are taking shape and transforming what was a dated looking, un-functional Kitchen into a bright, light-filled space that will blend with the rustic period of the house and provide us with a fully functional and beautiful 21st century Kitchen.

New sheetrock on back wall in KitchenView of new door and windows through beams separating the Kitchen and Dining RoomView of Kitchen from entry doorNew plantings at front door, courtesy of our gardeners 😉

History

In the fall of 2013 we embarked on a joint family venture of owning a rural antique colonial in Vermont as a family get away and vacation home. After looking at only 3 other homes we all agreed that this house had the most potential and truly was a diamond in the rough.

The house has so much history and character. It is a classic Federal-style Farmhouse Colonial, built by hand with traditional post and beam construction in 1786. It once served as an inn and a tavern. A back addition was added in the early 1800's and was the community's meeting house for many years. We are only the 3rd family to own this house in over 225 years.

The house was vacant since 2006 and had not been updated in over 30 years. That did not deter us and we felt that with all of our joint effort and skills we could not pass this opportunity up.

In the months since, we have completed some major renovations and the work keeps continuing. This blog is intended as a journal of our progress and outcomes. I hope you enjoy it.